CoolShip Android keyboard computer reminds us of the 80's

Shane McGlaun, 22nd February 2013

When I was growing up back in the 80's, it seemed like all the cool computers were little more than a fat keyboard to be hooked up to a television.

I remember wanting a Commodore 64 so bad that that it wasn't even funny, but had to settle for a cheaper Tandy instead. True, that was then and this is now, but a new computer dubbed the CoolShip recently tipped up - which is somewhat reminiscent of those glorious machines from the early 80's.

The CoolShip isn't thick and doesn't have any fake wood grain or beige plastic like most of the electronic devices from the 80s. Rather, this is an Android PC shoved inside a keyboard. The CoolShip is made by a company called FocusWill and all the familiar parts from Android devices like smartphones or the little PCs on a stick hide inside the keyboard shell.

The device offers everything you need for your Android computing experience (except a monitor), such as integrated speakers, built-in touchpad, and multiple input and output ports on the back. Connectivity options include VGA output, HDMI output, USB, ethernet, and Wi-Fi.

The processor powering the device is a Rockchip RK3066 paired with 1 GB of RAM. The keyboard computer can be had with 4 GB or 8 GB of storage. Interestingly, future upgrade modules that will allow users to pop out internal components such as the processor and replace them with faster units will be available in the future. As of now, the machine supports the addition of memory and other expansion options.

The machine runs Android 4.0, but the operating system - dubbed the "CoolShip OS" - is heavily customized. As noted previously on TG Daily, devs are working on porting Ubuntu to this chipset so other operating system might be an option in the future. The device is on Indiegogo right now seeking $10,000 in funding, with the company hoping to ship the first of the devices in April 2013.